Art | Aberdeenshire Achievements

Mill O’ Forest Primary School has an off-site allotment at Baird Park in Stonehaven which the Primary 5/6 pupils visited in November of 2012. They walked through the local community considering the natural beauty that surrounds them, taking photographs to capture all the wonders on their doorstep. Their journey took them by the rugged coastline to the peaceful woodlands at Dunnottar, past wild birds in the River Carron and a number of flora and fauna. The pupils entered their wonderful photographs into the Shutterbugs competition run by GTCS. We are delighted to report that many of the photographs that were taken on that chilly day are now featured on the webpage showing entries from primary school children from across Scotland.

Yesterday we received a letter informing us that Rikki Gilchrist, a Primary 5 pupil, had won first place in the Shutterbugs competition! His picture of trees against the skyline thoroughly impressed the judges and earned him first place! The school are very proud of his wonderful achievement and are thrilled that he has been recognised in a national competition.

Many congratulations, Rikki!

A new exhibition of artwork by pupils from Turriff, Peterhead and Mintlaw Academies inspired by the German photographer August Sander has gone on display at Duff House, Banff.
The pupils have been working with local artists Amy Davenport and Fergus Connor to produce the body of work which will be exhibited at the north-east visitor attraction during August and September.
Duff House is currently hosting an exhibition of portraits by Sander, regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential photographers.
The pupils researched his works and techniques to document their own communities in a manner similar to that practiced by Sander in his portfolio ‘People of the 20th Century’.
The young people’s work is a response to the study of their environment –their town, school, family and friends – and their identity, in the 21st century.
The pupils were introduced to a range of equipment throughout the project, from pinhole to digital cameras, as well as learning the mechanics of darkroom processing.
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure, Councillor Isobel Davidson, said: “The workshops have allowed pupils to demonstrate not only their understanding of technical and artistic processes, but also to look at creativity in the broader sense.
“This is a great opportunity for the pupils to display the results of their project.”
Vice-chair of the committee, Councillor Ron McKail, added: “This exhibition is the culmination of all the work and creativity the pupils’ have put into the project, and I’m sure they are all very proud of the results.”
The project is being run by Aberdeenshire Council’s arts development team in collaboration with Historic Scotland who manages Duff House and the National Galleries of Scotland.
The display is being held in the Long Gallery at Duff House until September 30, 2012. Entry to the Sander exhibition and the pupils’ display is free.
Both the August Sander exhibition and education programme are funded by Artists Rooms on tour with the Art Fund.

Winning Artist at Mill O’Forest

Pupils’ artwork goes on display at Duff House